 |
| 2006 season stats |
| GP | Goals | Assists |
| 27 | 0 | 1 |
name: Aitor Karanka
position: D
height: 6-1 weight:180
Birthdate: August 18, 1973
Hometown: Bilbao, Spain
last club: Athletic Bilbao (Spain)
|
| year | team | gp | gs | min | g | a | sht | sog | fc | fs | c | ej |
| 2006 | Colorado | 27 | 27 | 2,414 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 25 | 25 | 3 | 0 |
| Career | 27 | 27 | 2,414 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 25 | 25 | 3 | 0 |
Karanka joins the Rapids after being spotted by Fernando Clavijo while playing with one of the Rapids' spring training opponents, Athletic Bilbao, during the Rapids' 2006 preseason trip to Spain. He is a strong central defender with experience playing for super-club Real Madrid that is expected to help fill the gap left by departed Rapids defenseman Nat Borchers.
Acquired
Signed by the Rapids to a multi-year contract on April 2, 2006.
Other Pro Experience
Karanka, who began his professional career in 1992 playing for Athletic Bilbao's B-team, made his debut with the first team of the Basque Country in 1993. He spent a total of seven seasons with Athletic before being sold to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in 1997......During his five year stint with Real Madrid, Karanka played in all European competitions, winning 3 European Champions League Trophies (1997-1998, 1999-2000 and 2001-2002), 1 Intercontinental Cup (1998), 1 League Cup (2000-2001) and 2 Spanish Super Cups (1997-1998, 2000-2001)......After his five-year tenure with Real Madrid, Karanka returned to Bilbao to play for Athletic Bilbao, where he was a fixture in their starting lineup from 2002 to 2005.
International
The native of the city of Vitoria (in Alava, Spain) has represented Spain in various international tournaments, most of them with the Under-21 National Team. While only playing once with the full national team, Karanka was also part of the Spanish contingent that participated in the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, GA.
